What's going on: Protesters celebrate departure of Yemen's leader

Hani Mohammed / The Associated PressAn anti-government protester, his face painted with the colors of his national flag, shouts slogans while celebrating with others following President Ali Abdullah Saleh's departure to Saudi Arabia, in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, June 5, 2011. Thousands of protesters are dancing and singing in the Yemeni capital Sanaa after the country's authoritarian leader flew to Saudi Arabia to receive medical treatment for wounds he suffered in a rocket attack on his compound. Arabic reads on his body, "Careless Ali".

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh left the country to undergo surgery to his chest at a military hospital in Saudi Arabia after he was wounded in a rocket attack at his compound. Upon hearing the news Sunday, protesters against the authoritarian leader celebrated, hoping the authoritarian leader of 33 years would not return.

Vice-president Abdo Rabu Mansur Hadi has power while Saleh is out of the country, according to deputy information minister Abdo al-Janadi.